British Foreign Office Confidential Print and International Organisations, 1923–1969 Coming Soon

After the First World War, the victorious Allies sought to create an international system which would resolve disputes between states through diplomacy and thus avert another major conflict. This took the form of the League of Nations (LoN), which was established in 1920, but which ultimately failed to avert the outbreak of the Second World War twenty years later. The LoN’s successor, the United Nations (UN), shared many of its noble and ambitious goals, but has also faced widespread criticism. Britain played a key role in the establishment and leadership of both of these organisations.

This collection comprises approximately 11,000 images. These include diplomatic correspondence and reports that supply unrivalled insights into Britain’s role in, and relationship with, the LoN and the UN. The sources likewise provide a wide-ranging summary of all manner of major world affairs during this period. This collection will be of value to those interested in international relations and key historical themes, such as empire, war, and peace. It will also appeal to students, educators, and researchers situated within the fields of political science, economics, and philosophy.